"It was a mix of technical material ... some indigenous elements, for a South American vibe, and then a lot of American sportswear, which is what Gant is all about," Bastian told me during the presentation.

These were the kind of garments a Merrill second-year could wear when heading back to the office on a Saturday or Sunday morning to finish a pitch book.

But they make more sense in the Hamptons, on the Cape, or out in Ecuador, as Bastian imagines.

A number of designers this season, Bastian included, have tried to rework the cargo short and pant for men, mostly to mixed success. Gant slimmed them down and the look resonated somewhat on a 6'2, 160 pound model.

But I'm not convinced they'll have the same effect on most Americans.

Overall, the clothes did not push the envelope — and that's not a bad thing. They had the ease a summer vacation requires: throw it on, grab some flip flops and shades, and head to the water.